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Topic: Software cleaning of microphone input (Read 6567 times) previous topic - next topic
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Software cleaning of microphone input

This may be an unusual question for this forum, but this is the only place I know where it's even remotely possible anyone knows. Blame google


I have a problem with my pc microphone getting a lot of background noise. I suspect this is actually a matter of EMI or something on the cables; at the very least it's independent of the soundcard used, and i believe also the microphone. Rather than messing with the cables back there though, I've been trying this:

http://www.audio4fun.com/voice-over.htm
AV Voice Changer Software

This is a program meant to change the microphone input in real time; it can apply pitch changes and more. Most interesting for my application is the noise filter. It works, and when I do get sound through it, that sound is filtered for noise other than my voice.

My question is as follows: What alternatives do I have to achieve this?


In particular, the above product has shortcomings in the following areas:

-It relies on hooking into a program's input/output routines. This is flawed, particularly in that it doesn't always work (e.g., if it's doing its stuff on another program when the app I want it on is started), but also that if a program opens multiple input sound channels (so as to support using a second mic for that) it will only work on one.  (The particular app I tried for this is Euroscope, an ATC client for the vatsim network)

-Preferrably, its interface with normal apps would be as another soundcard (which could be set as standard for input in windows' audio controls).  I realize this method would require admin priveleges on the computer, though.

-For changing the voice, the noise filter is applied last. This leads to that "metallic" voice as the transformations work on the mess that is my microphone input.

-The noise filtering is only for the most expensive version; free software is preferrable but I guess unlikely.

I'd like to know of alternatives regardless of how well they perform in the areas mentioned above. Even if they're payware.  I don't think there's really much I can do as far as separating the cabling goes, if that is indeed where the problem is.

Actually contacting them to ask for these improvements seems to be a hoop-jumping course, and it will also take some time before such changes are actually available.  I don't know if it applies in this case, but somebody there might be attached to the old, just plain too clever way of doing things. That's just too typical with half working, half broken, implementations like this.

Software cleaning of microphone input

Reply #1 –
There is environmental noise: the computer fans, hard drives, and other moving parts, the air  conditioning, the ballast in the fluorescent lights, your clothing when you move, any physical contact with the microphone, etc.. The one and only proper treatment for these noises is to get away from them. These considerations are a major factor in the design of recording studios.

Many people also achieve something useful at home. Most often they get themselves away from the computer and (at least somewhat) shielded from other noises. Longer cables (of decent quality) are one of the requirements. Another method is a quiet PC. These can be purchased ready made. There are also lots of companies selling parts to help you make your own. To some reasonable degree, if you are handy, you can even make many of your own parts and save more money.

You say the noise is independent of the soundcard and the microphone. While I don’t know what you have tried, this is just not true. The microphone preamp of most built-in soundcards is quite noisy (also frequently those in aftermarket gaming and multi-media soundcards). The rest of their audio characteristics are also frequently lousy. A good microphone preamp, whether built into a decent soundcard or simply a stand-alone, is not noisy.

Unless the cable is defective or the wrong kind, it generally isn’t much of a factor, except that some can generate noise if you twist, bend, or pull on them while they are being used. Good microphones have balanced outputs and their preamps have balanced inputs. This requires a balanced cable between them for proper noise cancellation and it works very well.

It is certainly easy to pick up electronic noise from around computers, power cords, and other power consuming devices. A well shielded cable can do a lot in these situations and how you route the cable is important.

When noise in your recording is fairly constant (i.e. does not vary much in character or level from moment to moment (e.g. tape hiss, hum)) noise reduction software is often quite successful (but nothing beats avoiding the noise in the first place). Adobe Audition has good noise reduction. Then there is the excellent SonicFoundry Noise Reduction 2 DX plugin that works with many audio editors (including Audition). It is reportedly now included with Sound Forge (a lesser audio editor, compared to Audition), which costs somewhat less than the plugin by itself. There are also more expensive noise reduction packages that may (but not with  certainty) do better. These are all applied post-recording.

When the noise is limited to narrow frequencies, filters can often be helpful. Audition has a good complement of filters. Most audio editors have at least some.

Goldwave is a less expensive shareware audio editor. There are some others, but I can’t recall any specific names at the moment. Audacity is a freeware editor. It has somewhat primitive facilities but enough to be useful to many people.


Microphones also have a self noise level. It is generally not a significant factor is the recordings made with them, but if you are using a cheapie “computer microphone” that may not be true.

Software cleaning of microphone input

Reply #2 –
...While I thank you for tips regarding the hardware, which might help me should I go that route, you did not understand my question.

The context is not "have sound as beautiful as possible" that is the general discourse on these forums. The context in which I asked my question is "Regular computer user doing voice chatting over the net, with a noise problem on the microphone." I guess instead of "unusual question"  I should have said "unusual context".

In that context, the sound editors you named are not an option - i need it to be inline.

If you know places better suited for asking this question, I would like to know of them. But whenever I do a sound-related search on google, HA is usually in the top 5.

Quote from: AndyH-ha on
There is environmental noise: the computer fans, hard drives, and other moving parts, the air  conditioning, the ballast in the fluorescent lights, your clothing when you move, any physical contact with the microphone, etc.. The one and only proper treatment for these noises is to get away from them. These considerations are a major factor in the design of recording studios.


There are some noise in the room, but nothing of this magnitude, where my voice is not quite drowned, but when coupled with an accent people are not used to, it often makes it hard for them to understand me.

Quote
You say the noise is independent of the soundcard and the microphone. While I don’t know what you have tried, this is just not true. The microphone preamp of most built-in soundcards is quite noisy (also frequently those in aftermarket gaming and multi-media soundcards). The rest of their audio characteristics are also frequently lousy. A good microphone preamp, whether built into a decent soundcard or simply a stand-alone, is not noisy.


What I've meant by this, is the fact that the noise, both level and nature, are the same regardless of which soundcard it's plugged into. One is rather on the high end, the other is MB integrated. I thought I had switched my microphone about that time too, but now I've come to doubt that conclusion; however, replacing my microphone is not really a possibility, since it's mounted on my headset. Using another, as in having one on my desk that I really use, will have problems with space, ergonomy (leaning over to talk is not an option), the environmental conditions you mentioned (which may be more of a factor than now), as well as possibly still not getting away from what causes the current problem.

Quote
When noise in your recording is fairly constant (i.e. does not vary much in character or level from moment to moment (e.g. tape hiss, hum)) noise reduction software is often quite successful


The noise reduction provided in the voice changer software does an excellent job, killing the entirety of the noise. Unfortunately, it doesn't work all the time because of the method it was implemented, as I listed in those points. That's the problem I have, and the reason I seek alternatives.